Chalet Chic

 
As a self-confessed ski-phobic and hater of all things cold, I surprised even myself by signing up to a press trip to Verbier. My motive, you see, was to do some serious celebrity hunting as this is the winter holiday hotspot that regularly welcomes the likes of Elle Macpherson, Claudia Schiffer, the Beckhams, James Blunt and a handful of European royals.
 
Unfortunately, I didn't spot any stars (it's hard to recognise people under furry hats and oversized sunnies), but what I did have a glimpse of was the seriously A-List lifestyle available to everyone (well, if you've got the cash, of course).
 
Case in point: the stunning chalet that was our home for three days. Part of the luxury ski chalet company CK Verbier, Chalet Kernow is everything you want in a cosy ski retreat: roaring fire, plush couches, comfy beds, deep bathtubs, cable TV and all the rustic accoutrements, with the added luxuries of a pilates/yoga/exercise room, steam and sauna rooms and the most impressive wine cellar EVER, boasting 150 different wines and some seriously rare vintages (Petrus, anyone?).
 
My personal favourite part of the experience was the chalet's personal chef, Jono, who cooked us a divine five-course gourmet meal kicking off with a celeriac and truffle soup (so good we asked for the recipe!) and ending off with a light-as-air passion fruit soufflé. Of course the beauty of having a personal chef is being able to request pretty much ANYTHING on demand, so breakfasts were a rather drawn-out affair.
 
When I managed to drag myself away from the table, I discovered that skiing is actually really fun and not as scary as it first looks. This was mostly thanks to our patient and rather handsome ski instructors, Guy and Nicol of Performance Verbier, who provided one-on-one tuition and even took time out of their busy schedules to recommend the most lethal of alcoholic beverages available in Verbier (not on the slopes, of course).
 
Before hitting the slopes I would highly recommend a session of skilates (pilates for skiers) with the incredibly bendy and fit Penny from from Chilali – it really gets you focusing on your balance, which unsurprisingly comes in quite handy when you're on skis. It also works out the 'forgotten muscles' – muscles you never knew you even had but are guaranteed to become well acquainted with the following day.
 
After my exhausting day of exercise I was delighted to discover that an army of beauticians had been called in to pamper the troops. From relaxing facials and impeccable mani/pedis from the fantastically-named Beauty and the Piste team to the hot stone massage courtesy of Rosie at Chilali, we were loathe to ever leave the chalet again.
 
But eat we had to, so it was off to Verbier's newest and chicest eatery, Le Rouge, which welcomed us with its slick tables and cosy sheepskin rugs. Once again we feasted to the point of gluttony on scallop carpaccio, pork belly and cinnamon French toast for dessert.
 
So you can see that I am now officially a convert. It may be the après-ski life that's more my style, but that's the beauty of CK Verbier and its dedicated staff – any activity, event or menu can be organised for you on arrival so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday you so deserve. I know I'm already hankering for my next visit.
 
Verbier Address Book:
1. CK Verbier, , includes Chalet Kernow (sleeps up to 12 people and costs £1,833 per person, per week based on full occupancy), Chalet Le Ti (sleeps up to eight people and costs from 1,515 per person per week based on full occupancy) and Bella Coola (sleeps us to 11 people and costs from £1,833 per person, per week based on full occupancy)  

2. Performance Verbier
3 hour lessons
1 - 2 people: 285 CHF
3 - 6 people: 320 CHF
 
All day lessons
1 - 2 people: 520 CHF
3 - 6 people: 580 CHF

3.Chilali
1-hour skilates session in chalet: 150 CHF
1 hour hot stone massage in chalet: 175 CHF
 
4. In-chalet beauty treatments with Beauty and the Piste
Aromatherapy Massage: 120 CHF
Manicures / Pedicures / Facials – prices on demand

5. Swiss International Airlines (0845 601 0956) offers up to seven daily flights from London to Geneva with return fares starting from £79 per person including all taxes and charges and transportation of ski and snowboard equipment. Return business class fares to Geneva start from £274. SWISS also offers twice weekly flights to Geneva from Manchester.